Approaches to wireworm control in organic potato production

Neuhoff,-D; Christen,-C; Paffrath,-A; Schepl,-U
Institute of Organic Agriculture, University of Bonn, Germany.

Abstract
Tuber damages caused by wireworms can result in significant economic losses in organic potato production. Since no synthetic insecticides are allowed in Organic Agriculture, wireworm control has to be managed by agronomic approaches.

In 2005 organic potato field trials were carried out on 3 sites in Southern North Rhine-Westphalia, targeted at assessing the impact of variety choice (2-6 varieties) and harvest date (3-5 dates) on wireworm damage of potato tubers.

Tuber yield and quality were recorded and submitted to ANOVA.

Variety choice had a significant effect on tuber losses caused by wireworms. At the Auweiler site the highest losses were noted in cv. Princess (27.0%) and the lowest in Nicola (12.7%).

Bringing forward tuber lifting dates to the middle of August resulted in significantly lower wireworm induced tuber losses compared with middle of September.

Early harvesting can be recommended if tuber skin is sufficiently suberised and if cooling facilities are available for the tubers.

Source
Bulletin-OILB/SROP. 2007; 30(7): 65-68
International Organization for Biological and Integrated
Control of Noxious Animals and Plants (OIBC/OILB)

 

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Posted June 2008